Gigi Kalong takes oath as new Consul

Incoming Philippine Honorary Consul for Victoria Virginia Kalong took her oathtaking last 9 May 2010 with Ambassador Ernesto De Leon administering the oath. Former Honorary Consul Maina Walkley and outgoing Honorary Consul General Raul Hernandez witnessed the oath taking ceremony.

Honorary Consul Kalong told The Philippine Times that she would like to thank the Filipino-Australian community for personally supporting her. “Without them, I would not be in the position to accept this position as Honorary Consul of Victoria. I am very confident that the majority of the Filipino-Australian community will be behind me and support the Office of the Consulate in Melbourne, Victoria. I feel very humble but proud to be given this appointment. I thank God for the opportunity.”

Honorary ConGen Raul Hernandez, whose term of office ends 21 May 2010, issued the following statement via email to the leaders of the Filipino community in Victoria:

“I would like to take this opportunity to inform you all that this Friday, 21 May 2010 is my last day as your Honorary Consul General.

I will be replaced by our good friend and long-time Filipino community supporter, Ms. Virginia Kalong.

Thank you very much for all the support and friendship that you extended to me as your Honorary Consul General for 5 years and 5 months. It was indeed a very important part of my life and my career to have served our country and our Filipino-Australian nationals in Victoria. I hope that for the short period of time, I have contributed something that touched and changed the lives of some Filipinos.

I am sure you will extend the same support to our Virginia “Gigi” Kalong as she embarks a new phase of her community service.

Continue your passion for community service and always embrace the virtue of true compassion to others.

Maraming Salamat Po!”

Honorary Consul Kalong wishes Honorary ConGen Hernandez all the best in his future undertakings. “I am sure he will support the Consulate office since he knows how much assistance we need to survive,” she said.